Trustee Decker Quits to Seek Superintendent Post

Responding to concerns from parents, Edward H. Decker said Monday he will resign his trustee post to pursue becoming superintendent of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

“I know I will be disappointed when it comes time to leave the board,” said Decker, who is in the second year of his second term on Newport-Mesa’s board. “I have been concerned about the issue of representation ever since I began to consider applying for superintendent and have appreciated the letters I’ve received from parents in Zone 1 and throughout the district.”

As a candidate to replace Supt. Mac Bernd, who left the district in December, Decker has had to excuse himself from all discussions regarding the job search. Some parents in Decker’s district, which includes Estancia High School, complained they are lacking a voice in choosing the next superintendent.

“He made the decision he thought was ethical because he is very serious about his candidacy for the superintendent job,” interim Supt. Robert Francy said.

Decker, a 58-year-old administrator at Coastline College, will step down once the board appoints a replacement for him from his district.

Francy said the search for Decker’s replacement will begin immediately. An appointment is expected by the end of April, a month before the superintendent search committee will begin interviewing candidates.